Illinois Ventures Extra Help - Venture Analyst

Illinois Ventures Extra Help - Venture Analyst

Illinois Ventures - Urbana

- Hybrid

Posting Category: System Office jobs such as this one are not eligible for the Referral Program.

Function

Provide full-time, temporary support to the operations and investment activity of Illinois Ventures, which invests in startup and early-stage companies derived from advanced technologies originated or developed by faculty, staff, students and/or alumni of the University. Illinois Ventures manages pre-seed and venture capital funds on behalf of the University and outside investors, and an angel network made up of high-net-worth alumni of the University.

The Venture Analyst is a developmental Extra Help role for an early-career professional. Working under the direction of the CEO/Senior Managing Director, with day-to-day guidance from the Directors and Associate, the Venture Analyst will support the full scope of Illinois Ventures’ work: sourcing and screening opportunities, supporting due diligence, monitoring the portfolio, preparing reports, and engaging with the University’s innovation ecosystem. This includes working closely with the University’s technology management office, faculty and Illinois Ventures professional staff to screen and evaluate prospects presented to Illinois Ventures and its funds.

Organizational Relationship

Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation

CEO/Sr Managing Director

Venture Analyst (Extra Help)

Duties and Responsibilities

Investment Sourcing & Evaluation:

1. Assist in identifying and screening early-stage venture capital investment opportunities in high-growth companies, particularly those derived from advanced technologies with an association to the University of Illinois.
2. Help source potential deals through university networks, including faculty, students, alumni, and technology transfer offices.
3. Track deal flow and maintain the investment pipeline and related records.
4. Support relationship-building with entrepreneurs, venture capital networks, co-investors, and industry partners, including attending meetings and preparing follow-up materials.

Due Diligence, Analysis and Investment Process:

1. Support all stages of deal execution under the guidance of the investment team, including technology assessments, market research, competitive analysis, and financial modeling.
2. Build and maintain financial models and market research used to evaluate potential investments in innovative startups and new technologies.
3. Draft sections of investment memos summarizing due diligence findings, potential risks, and projected returns for review by the investment team.
4. Analyze financial statements of prospective companies and summarize observations on their viability and growth potential.

Portfolio Management:

1. Assist in maintaining valuation models for portfolio companies, under the direction of the Associate and Directors and consistent with industry best practices.
2. Support ongoing monitoring of portfolio companies, including collecting performance data, tracking key metrics, and conducting financial analysis.
3. Assist portfolio companies with research and analysis requests, and help identify follow-on and new deal opportunities.
4. Help prepare quarterly reports for Limited Partners, including data on portfolio performance, new investments, and financial outlooks.

Report Creation:

1. Maintain reports and records relating to company financings, valuations, restructurings, and liquidity events, including funding estimates and fund usage for existing and future funds.
2. Help develop and maintain presentation materials, including materials supporting the fundraising activities of the Organization, through data gathering, synthesis, and construction of professional presentations.
3. Assist with ongoing impact and economic reporting.

Professional Development:

1. Work with the supervisor on a development plan that includes regular feedback and progressively greater ownership of deal, portfolio, and program work.

Other Duties:

1. Other duties as assigned and appropriate for the position.

Additional Considerations:

1. Passion for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, with a commitment to driving the success of early-stage ventures.

Appointment Terms

1. This is a full-time, temporary Extra Help appointment paid on an hourly basis.
2. Extra Help appointments may not exceed 900 hours of work within any consecutive 12-month period. At a full-time schedule, this limit is reached in approximately five to six months.
3. Extra Help employees are not eligible for University benefits, other than paid leave under the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act.
4. Students enrolled in six (6) or more credit hours are not eligible for Extra Help appointments.
5. This appointment does not guarantee future employment.

Education

Appropriate for background and role

Certifications

None required.

Knowledge and Experience

Required:

1. Zero to two years of relevant professional experience. Internships, co-ops, or project work in venture capital, private equity, investment banking, consulting, corporate development, startups, or technology commercialization will count toward this experience.
2. Working knowledge of corporate finance, accounting fundamentals, and financial statement analysis.
3. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including financial modeling) and PowerPoint.
4. Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to evaluate markets, competitors, and emerging technologies.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.
6. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including research faculty and technology company founders.
7. Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred:

1. Understanding of the venture capital ecosystem, including investment processes and portfolio management.
2. Experience founding, working at, or supporting an early-stage startup or entrepreneurial program.
3. Familiarity with venture data and equity management tools (e.g., PitchBook, Crunchbase, Carta).
4. Technical background or coursework in an advanced technology area (e.g., engineering, computer science, life sciences, agriculture).
5. Creative problem-solving skills, including the ability to formulate a plan to obtain the information necessary to evaluate a new technology’s potential and to execute on that plan.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Extra Help employees are not hired with the intent of guaranteed employment. Anyone applying for and accepting Extra Help employment agrees to the conditions of this type of employment and receive no assurance of continued employment. Because Extra Help employees work in temporary/as needed assignments for a maximum of 900 hours, there are no benefits associated with this form of employment. The expected start date is December 1, 2026. Minimum starting salary is $30.00/per hour, and is commensurate with experience.

Click here for applicable information on the Affordable Care Act and Paid Leave For All Workers.

Sponsorship for Work Authorization is not available for this position.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE & DEADLINE INFORMATION

For full consideration, please click the APPLY NOW link on this page to submit an application on the university portal accepting applications for this system office position by 6 pm on .

System Human Resource Services

(217) 333-2600

erhr@uillinois.edu

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted by contacting the System Human Resource Services at 217-333-2600, or by emailing ADAaccessibility@uillinois.edu.

Requisition ID: req3198

Job Category: Extra Help

Campus Location: Urbana